It’s official. The Nintendo 3DS will be released in Northa America on March 27. It will cost $249.99. The handheld I’ve been raving about since E3 is just about two months away. It will include, of course, the system with its 3D screen and built-in motion and gyro sensors, so it can track movements in 3D space. It will also include two modes called StreetPass and SpotPass.

As mentioned at E3, the StreetPass acts like the tag system on the Nintendo DSi. It will exchange game information from players as they walk by. Nintendo says items such as Mii character data, game maps or high scores can be transfered. Meanwhile, SpotPass lets the 3DS update regularly over WiFi even while in sleep mode.

The built-in software seems similar to the DSi except that the 3DS can act as a pedometer and players can earn Play Coins that can be used in other compatible games and applications. I can see it being used in games like Pokemon. It also features a Mii Maker or you can import the ones from your Wii. According to the press release, “Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL owners will be able to transfer games downloaded from the Nintendo DSi Shop onto their new Nintendo 3DS systems.” Quite frankly, I’m more excited for Virtual Console games (Game Boy and Game Boy Color games so far) being available for download and the Nintendo eShop taking cash instead of point cards.